John Kirby, Strategic Communications Coordinator for the White House National Security Council, answered journalists’ questions at a daily online press conference. Noting that Russia had attacked Ukrainian ports and damaged agricultural infrastructure, Kirby warned that Moscow could expand its attacks to include attacks on civilian ships in the Black Sea.
“ADDITIONAL SEA MINE PLATES”
Coordinator Kirby noted:
“The information we have shows that Russia is laying additional naval mines at the entrances of Ukrainian ports. Yesterday, we saw that Russia released a video of the detection and detonation of a naval mine they claim to be Ukrainian. We believe this is a coordinated effort to legitimize any attack on civilian ships in the Black Sea and then to blame Ukraine as part of the ‘false flag’ operation.”
Indicating that they will closely monitor the developments on this issue, Kirby reiterated his calls for Russia to return to the Grain Corridor Agreement.
UKRAINE HOLDS COMBAMS
Kirby confirmed that the cluster munitions supplied by the US had arrived in Ukraine and were deployed on the ground, but he assessed that it was correct that the Ukrainians provided the details for the details.
Kirby said that Ukrainians use cluster munitions “appropriately and effectively” and that this had an impact on Russia’s defensive maneuvers.
Kirby also noted that North Korea, which they reached through different channels, did not give any response regarding the US soldier crossing the border. (AA)